Inspiration
The Paper Star site draws inspiration from the Kindness Rocks Project, a movement encouraging people to paint rocks with positive messages for others to find. We wanted to create a similar platform where users could spread positivity in a digital space. The goal was to provide a calming, supportive environment where users could feel connected, especially as many people face silent battles with their mental health. We sought to make the experience of giving and receiving uplifting messages more accessible and meaningful, offering a simple yet powerful way to brighten someone’s day, even from afar.
What it does
Paper Star allows users to contribute uplifting messages in the form of “star notes” to a shared virtual night sky. Each star represents a note of positivity. Users can navigate the night sky, selecting stars to reveal these messages left by others. If a particular message resonates deeply, they can save it to their personal “star jar,” a collection of cherished notes that they can revisit when in need of encouragement. The experience fosters a sense of community, as users collectively contribute to a brighter, kinder space.
How we built it
The site was built using HTML and JavaScript with integrated 3JS elements to create an immersive 3D experience. We used Firebase for data hosting, allowing seamless storage and retrieval of user-submitted messages.
Challenges we ran into
One of the biggest technical challenges was perfecting the animations for falling stars, ensuring they were both smooth and visually appealing. Additionally, merging the various design elements and ideas from all team members into a cohesive platform was more difficult than anticipated. Finding the right balance between aesthetics, user experience, and functionality required extensive collaboration and iteration.
Accomplishments that we're proud of
We are especially proud of the serene, visually engaging atmosphere we were able to create. The soft lighting of the 3D night sky, paired with hand-drawn assets and thoughtful animations, gives the site a welcoming and calming feel. We believe the combination of design and functionality has resulted in an experience that is not only interactive but also emotionally uplifting.
What we learned
This project taught us the importance of teamwork and clear communication. Working under tight time constraints forced us to plan effectively, make quick decisions, and rely on each other’s strengths. From a technical perspective, we learned valuable skills in integrating 3D elements into a web environment, as well as in using Firebase to handle user data.
What's next for Paper Stars
Our next step is to publicly host the site, allowing a wider audience to participate in growing our shared night sky. We aim to expand features, possibly adding customization options for users’ star jars or implementing a notification system to alert users when new stars are added. Ultimately, we hope Paper Star will become a community where people continuously share positivity and support, helping brighten lives around the world :)
Log in or sign up for Devpost to join the conversation.